40 young artists ‘keeping Wexford beautiful’ – WexfordLocal.com

By Dan Walsh

Young artists from Co. Wexford schools received their awards for the Wexford County Council Annual Artwork Competition 2024 in the County Hall, Wexford, recently.

The theme of this year’s competition was ‘The Wildlife of Hedgerows.’ Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, presented prizes to 40 school children representing both primary and secondary schools.

The overall winner from Primary Schools was Ella Dundon, Our Lady of Lourdes National School, Bunclody and the overall winner from Secondary Schools was Júlía Ásmundsdóttir of Colaiste an Átha Kilmuckridge. The winning artwork was displayed in County Hall.

Prizes were also presented for the Snap into Action Competition, which is open to both schools and community groups. This competition encourages people from all walks of life to act against litter.

Kilmyshall National School received first prize in the Snap into Action School Competition and received a prize for €500. Wexford Educate Together National School and Caim National School were presented with runner up award of €250.

Enniscorthy Tidy Towns were the winners in the Snap into Action Community Group Competition and received a prize of €500. Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group and Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns were presented with runners-up awards of €250.

Cllr Pip Breen stated “that the aim of the competition was to raise awareness of the importance of Wexford’s environment and to encourage all to explore its uniqueness as something to be valued and cherished. Hedgerows are precious habitats made up of native trees, shrubs, and flowers. They form a network of wildlife corridors across our landscape, providing food and shelter for insects, birds, and mammals.”

“The artwork displayed here today reminds, us all to look after our environment, a precious legacy for generations to come. We all have a role to play in learning more about biodiversity and protecting the natural heritage of Wexford,” said Cllr Breen, who thanked Don Conroy for providing the colouring sheet and thanked Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club for supporting the competition and sponsoring birdboxes.

Cllr Breen congratulated all involved and praised the groups for all their voluntary work in ‘Keeping Wexford Beautiful’.

The artwork competition is an initiative run by the Environment Section of Wexford County Council in conjunction with Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club.